Brandon Townes

It’s official your boy will be coaching on Fluvanna sideline this football season!!! #ChangeStartsNow🙌🏾

New York guard Jose Alvarado is declining his $4.5 million player option and intends to sign a new three-year, $14-plus million deal to return to the Knicks, sources tell ESPN. Knicks made it a priority to retain the NY native who played key role on a historic championship team.

🚨RELEASED: Knicks Summer League schedule: 🗓️Fri Jul 10 v Nets ⏰6p 📺Amazon 🗓️Sat Jul 11 v Spurs ⏰6p 📺ESPN 🗓️Mon Jul 13 v Pistons ⏰4p 📺Amazon 🗓️Thu Jul 16 v Warriors ⏰7p📺ESPN2 🗓️Final game(s) TBD

Just in: The Oklahoma City Thunder are trading sharpshooter Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for two future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN.

Barack Obama on Jalen Brunson: “He should never have to pay for a meal again in New York, he’s the king of New York.” (via @allthesmokeprod)

ICYMI: Lions CB Terrion Arnold was arrested Wednesday on eight felony counts that carry a possible life sentence.

The full Terrion Arnold story, according to Tampa Police, is stunning: Police say this all started after Terrion Arnold and several others had property stolen from an Airbnb Arnold rented in Largo in early February. Investigators say Arnold believed some of the eventual victims were responsible, even though police later determined they were not involved in that theft. On February 3, police say Arnold and Boakai Hilton — who investigators say helped coordinate the alleged setup — directed Arianna Del Valle and Jasmine Randazzo to contact one of the victims and lure him to an apartment in Tampa. Around midnight on February 4, investigators say the victims arrived at the apartment. Once they entered a bedroom, police say Christion Williams and Lyndell Hudson — who had been hiding in a closet — jumped out, grabbed the victims, held them at gunpoint, and attacked them. Investigators say the incident was streamed to Arnold, Hilton, and Freddie Hughes while they were traveling to the apartment. Police also say there was a group chat involving the defendants, and that Arnold and Hilton gave directions through that chat while the attack was happening. About an hour later, police say Arnold arrived at the apartment with Hilton, Hughes, and another person, and that he directed them to go inside while the robbery was still going on. Investigators say property was stolen from the victims during the attack. At around 1:40 a.m., police say the victims were escorted out of the apartment by armed suspects and forced into their vehicle before leaving the scene. Police say Del Valle, Williams, and another individual then got into a vehicle driven by Arnold and left the area. The victims later reported the incident to Tampa Police and identified the suspects. After search warrants were executed and the investigation continued, detectives arrested multiple people in the case over the following weeks. Police say Arnold was the primary conspirator in the alleged robbery/kidnapping plot. He turned himself in Wednesday night and is now facing 4 counts of kidnapping and 4 counts of armed robbery.

I don’t like it

Pistons are trading Isaiah Stewart to the Grizzlies for three future second round picks, per @ShamsCharania Beef Stew headed to Memphis 🔥

Nickel is a Knick. The Knicks select Vanderbilt forward Tyler Nickel with the 47th pick in the NBA Draft

Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to return to the franchise, with a player option for the final season in 2029-30, sources tell ESPN. Reaves declined his $14.9M player option for the new max deal.

New York (from LAL) will select Sergio De Larrea at No. 25, source told @TheFieldOf68

Sources: New York is trading No. 24 to the Los Angeles Lakers for No. 25.

EXCLUSIVE: ESPN reporter Tim Bontemps is in advanced talks to join to join the Atlanta Hawks’ front office, sources tell FOS. More from @sportsrapport & @Alex__Schiffer ⬇️

picks locked in🔒

Everybody lol

BLOCKBUSTER: The Milwaukee Bucks are trading franchise icon Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, 3 first-round picks (including No. 13), 1 pick swap and 1 second-rounder, sources tell ESPN.

Just in: Minnesota is sending Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN. The Timberwolves will acquire Brooklyn’s No. 33 pick for Randle and No. 28.

JUST IN: Former Staunton/R.E. Lee star Eli Crawford is the new boys basketball coach at Waynesboro. Crawford led Eastern Mennonite School to a #VISAA Division III state title in 2022 and is in the R.E. Lee Hall of Fame. Absolute home-run hire.

A new chapter begins. Welcome, Brian White! ➡️ vthoki.es/26BW2VT

Restricted free agent Mohamed Diawara intends to sign a multiyear, $10-plus million deal to return to the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN. Diawara -- the No. 51 pick in last year's NBA draft -- was part of the champion Knicks after spending the season on a standard contract.